Portfolio Policy
(Adopted Fall 2002; revised 11/10/23)
The Portfolio Reviews are the School’s main comprehensive exam for students who have been admitted into the graduate program. It is a test given to SACD students at two pivotal points in their academic path and used to determine if they are ready for the next stage in the architectural program. Portfolio Review is not based on a student’s grades, though a student must have a 3.0 GPA to submit. It is based solely on the portfolio’s contents. There is a separate portfolio review for students who are applying to enter into the graduate program.
Portfolio reviews help the faculty evaluate the progress of individual students and of the program as a whole. Only students whose portfolios are deemed passing will be eligible to progress to taking Advance Design Studios (first portfolio) and be admitted into the Master's Project Planning course (second portfolio). Student portfolios are also used to determine the granting of scholarships and awards. Further, these portfolios aid students in obtaining part-time and long-term employment.
The National Architectural Accrediting Board, the NAAB, establishes criteria for student learning outcomes. These outcomes are developed and assessed by the program on a recurring basis.
The School of Architecture & Community Design's portfolio policy is as indicated below.
A. Every student must maintain a bound portfolio recording their work undertaken in the school for every academic term. This portfolio must include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Design projects from each studio course, identified by course name, by instructor, and by the year and semester taken.
- Visual documentation must be accompanied by a project title and a written description.
- The required text should comprise of 200 to 500 words per project and should describe both the Full attribution of authorship must be given to collaborators on all group projects documented in the assignment and the student's own concept.
- Keep the focus on the work. Do not include random travel images, for example.
- OPTIONAL:
- Visual and written documentation from studio-like elective courses
- Other evidence of creative or scholarly accomplishments within or beyond formal academic requirements.
B. In order for the faculty to review and assess student progress, portfolios will be submitted and reviewed at least twice during each student's matriculation through the program. First, after completion of Core Design Studios I – III, and second, prior to admission into the Master's Project Planning course. The first review is to determine each student's readiness to proceed to the advanced studios. The second review is regarded as a "pre-master's level comprehensive exam," and will determine each student's readiness to complete their master's project.
C. Full attribution of authorship must be given to collaborators on all group projects documented in the portfolio.
D. Formats: The hard-copy (physical) portfolio should measure a minimum of 8” in either dimension and should measure between 80 and 100 square inches, e.g., 8x10, 8x12, 9x9, 10x10, 8.5 x 11, …; The digital file format is to be a PDF (Portable Document Format by Adobe) with file size not to exceed 50MB. Note: when reviewers select the two-page view of digital portfolio on their computers the view should correspond with the same two-page view when opening the hard-copy portfolio.
E. Submission of your portfolio: an online link on BOX will be provided before the due date to upload the digital portfolio. The hard-copy (physical) portfolio must be delivered by the due date to the SACD front office and signed in.
F. Due Date: Tuesday at 12:00 PM, the week before the semester officially begins.
OVERALL INDIVIDUAL PROJECT EVALUATION CRITERIA for First and Second Submission:
1. Completion – Do all components of the project appear finished? (e.g., including plans sections, elevations, renderings, etc.)
2. Craft – Are all models and drawings neat and well-crafted?
3. Clarity – Does your design work have a clear parti/organization?
4. Complexity – Does your design work go beyond the most basic solution and add a level of complexity, richness, or detail.
5. Concept – Does the design reflect depth of thinking, purpose, and conceptual rigor?
FIRST PORTFOLIO:
Portfolios showing work from Core Design Studios I – III, and other work indicated above, are to be submitted prior to the first Advanced Design Studio class in which the student is enrolled. The faculty will review the portfolios to determine the students’ aptitude. Students who do not meet the submission deadline or who do not pass the faculty review cannot progress to the Advanced Design Studio sequence.
Students who fail the review will be required to repeat a Core Design Studio to enhance their design skills. Students will only be permitted to repeat one Core Design Studio. Should a student fail a second portfolio review after repeating a Core Design Studio, they will not be permitted to proceed into the Advanced Design sequence and will be advised on what options are available to them within the University system outside the architecture track. Portfolios receiving a majority of High Pass scores will be selected for commendation.
First Submission Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum Design studio GPA of 3.0
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- Completion of prerequisite requirements indicated in the student’s admission acceptance letter.
To determine your readiness for advancement in the program toward the degree of Master of Architecture into the Advanced Design sequence, your portfolio should demonstrate mastery (or potential for mastery) of the following:
Mastery of Architectural Scales: From objects of constructs, small scale installations and details, to internal volumes, spaces and rooms, to refined building forms, and finally to the urban scale, addressing the public realm.
Mastery of Architectural Conventions: Including Plan, Section, Elevation, Axonometric, and Perspective.
Mastery of Architectural Media: From digital to hand-made works including sketches, physical and digital models and drawings, and photography.
SECOND PORTFOLIO:
Portfolios showing work from at least three Advanced Design Studios are to be submitted before proceeding into the Master's Project Design sequence. Students accepted to the School of Architecture & Community Design with advanced standing will also need to submit their portfolio as a prerequisite to advance to the Terminal Master’s Project course.
Students who do not meet the submission deadline or who do not pass the review cannot proceed into the Master's Project Design sequence (ARC 6974 Master's Project Planning and ARC 6976 Terminal Master's Project.) Students who fail the review will be required to take certain Core or Advanced Design studios to enhance their design skills [studio to be recommended by the faculty]. Students will not be permitted to repeat more than one Core Design or one Advanced Design studio. Should a student fail a second portfolio of the Second Submission review after repeating a Design Studio, they will not be permitted to proceed into the Advanced Design sequence and will be advised on what options are available to them within the University system, outside of the architecture track.
Second Submission Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum Design Studio GPA of 3.0
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- Completion of prerequisite requirements indicated in the student’s admission acceptance letter.
Second Portfolio Submission Review Criteria
To determine your readiness for advancement in the program toward the degree of Master of Architecture into the Master’s Project Sequence (ARC 6974 Master's Project Planning and ARC 6976 Terminal Master's Project.), the portfolio should provide evidence that the student has developed the ability to make design decisions within architectural projects while demonstrating synthesis of user requirements, regulatory requirements, site conditions, and accessible design, and consideration of the measurable environmental impacts of their design decisions. Your portfolio should also demonstrate mastery of the following: Mastery of the design of multi-purpose buildings of medium-to large-scale and complexity; understanding issues of urban, community and neighborhood design as they relate to the design of buildings.